Whirling toy



Nov. 14, 1961 E. c. RUTHERFORD 3,003,264

WHIRLiNG TOY Filed Nov. 10, 1959 "W K F Afro/WW.

United States Patent 3,008,264 WHIRLING TOY Ernest C. Rutherford, 2315 48th St., Pennsauken, NJ.

' Filed Nov. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 852,138

3 Claims. (Cl. 46-47) This invention relates generally to amusement devices or toys, and is especially concerned with a whirling toy.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a whirling toy which is extremely simple in construction and durable in use, and which is extremely well adapted to absorb the attention of users of widely ranging ages for longperiods of time.

Itis another object of the present invention to provide a whirlingtoy having a unique attraction for children, which can be operated even by relatively young children with only a modicum of skill, and which is capable of operation in a wide variety of ways as the user acquires increased skill.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a whirling toy device which is extremely entertaining and amusing, while developing body coordination and dexterity, as well as affording convenient exercise.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a whirling toy device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is durable even under rough conditions of handling, having no moving parts, and which is entirely safe for children of all ages, and can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a whirling toy device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view showing the whirling toy of FIGURE 1 in operative condition of use.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the toy device is there generally designated 10, and includes an elongate main body 11, which may have the configuration of a solid rod, as illustrated. The elongate body may be formed of wood, metal or plastic, as desired, and may be hollow or solid. Also, the elongate body is not necessarily straight, although preferably so. In the straight, illustrated form of the body 11, the cross sectional configuration is constant throughout the body length, between the opposite body ends 12 and 13, being illustrated in the drawings as of circular cross sectional configuration. Hence, in the illustrated embodiments, the center of gravity of the rod or body 11 is substantially at its midpoint longitudinally between the body ends.

Formed in the body 11 are a plurality of openings or holes 14, which are located at longitudinally spaced locations along the body. As best seen in FIGURE 2, the holes or openings '14 are located on one side of the medial region of the body, and extend oblique to the longitudinal axis of the body. In particular, the holes 14 may extend into the body 11 in substantial parallelism with each other, preferably located in a diametral plane of the rod-like body, and extending obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the body. While the oblique openings or holes 14 are all illustrated as located between the midpoint of the body, and the body end 13, it is understood that similar holes or openings may also be located between the midpoint of the body and the other body end 12, if desired. Also, the number of holes 14 may be greater or less, as desired.

A member or pin 15 has one end inserted into a selected one of the holes 14, being frictionally engaged therein, and has its other end projecting externally, transversely from the rod or body. Thus, the pin 15 extends laterally or transversely from the rod '11, oblique to the longitudinal extent of the body, in the general direction toward the midpoint of the body, and away from the adjacent body end 13. The pin 15 may also be of circular cross sectional configuration, being fabricated from rod stock, but of a diameter considerably less than that of the rod 11. As the pin 15 has its inner end only frictionally retained in the receiving hole 14, the pin may be removed and frictionally engaged in any selected one of the holes 14, for purposes appearing presently.

The pin 15 is of negligible or relatively small weight compared to that of the body 11, and especially as the pin 15 is located adjacent to the same body end 13 as are the holes 14, it will be understood that the center of gravity of the entire device 10, including both the rod 11 and pin 15, is substantially located at the longitudinal midpoint of the rod.

The pin 15, by its oblique extension from the rod 11 combines with the latter to define therebetween a crotch region or notch 16, which faces or opens toward the center of gravity of the device 10, substantially medially between the longitudinal ends of the body 11.

In use, the crotch 16 receives the extended finger 17 of an operators hand 18, the extended finger passing transversely across the rod 11. Upon an initial force exerted to rotate the device 10 in the direction of the arrow 19 about the extended finger 17, it will be appreciated that centrifugal force of the device will retain the pin 15 and adjacent portion of the rod in its finger receiving relation. For example, in the position illustrated in FIGURE 2, centrifugal force would act leftward, so that the device 10 holds itself on the operators finger '17. By slight oscillation of the finger 17, either rotatably, linearly, or a combination thereof, the device 10 may be continued indefinitely in its rotating condition about the finger 17 in the direction of the arrow 19.

In addition to the above described relatively simple use, of the device, many tricks, feats of skill and endurance, and visually appealing stunts may be performed as variations and modifications of such operation.

It will be noted in FIGURE 2 that the pin 15 is located in the middle one of the holes 14, the latter being three in number, merely for purposes of illustration. In this condition, the centrifugal force which acts against the operators extended finger 17 is considerably less than would act against the operators finger if the pin were in the outermost hole 1'4, as in FIGURE 1. This, of course, is understood by the mathematical definition of centrifugal force. As the difiiculty of maintaining the device 10 whirling is inversely proportional to the centrifugal force acting, it will also be understood that greater speed, dexterity and skill is required of the operator in performing the above described operations with the pin 15 in hole 14 closer to the midpoint of the rod 11. Hence, in this Way, there may be standardized requirements for competitive feats performed with the instant device.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a whirling toy which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made Within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

Whatis claimed is:

1'. A whirling toy comprising an elongate rod of uniform transverse cross section and having its center of gravity at a medial point, and a pin projecting transversely from said rod at a location spaced from-the medial point of said rod, said pin extending obliquely from said rod in the general direction toward" said medial point, whereby said'pincombines with the adjacentregion of said rod to define a finger receiving'crotch for man'- ually whirling said rod, said rod being formed at longitudinally spaced locations with a plurality'of openingsits opposite ends, a pin projecting obliquely from. said elongate member to define an acute angle therewith and located at a point spaced from said center of gravity, and a plurality of independent securement means arranged at spaced locations longitudinally of said elongate member for selectively securing saidpin to said elongate member in said: oblique relation ataa desired one of said securement means;

3. A whirling toy according to claim 2, said securement means being-'defined by formations onsaid elongate member detachably interengageable with said pin;

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,246,699 Rosen June 24; 1941 2,450,545 Foster Oct. 5, 1 948 2,8 l2,683 Harrold et al. Nov. 12, .1957 

